Bengals pull off surprise at LB in Mel Kiper mock draft 1.0

Though most view offensive line as the biggest need facing the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the 2018 NFL draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has other plans in his first mock draft of the season.

Kiper’s first mock has the Bengals selecting Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, a versatile prospect with a huge ceiling capable of fitting well in Cincinnati’s scheme.

Kiper wrote the following after the pick: “Edmunds is another one of my favorite prospects. At 6-5, he doesn’t have the typical frame of a middle linebacker, but he truly could play inside or outside — he had 109 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss in 2017. If he ended up in Cincinnati under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, he’d probably be an outside linebacker who could rush the passer on passing downs. I’ve said before that Edmunds has the most upside of any linebacker in this class.”

Edmunds, one of the youngest prospects in the class, is a freakish athlete who can do it all, whether it’s shooting gaps or rushing the passer from any point on the field. Elite recognition and instincts set him up nicely before the athleticism takes over more often than not.

While Edmunds hasn’t really caught on yet, it’s only a matter of time before he shoots up boards — the boost from Kiper here doesn’t hurt.

Cagen Cantrell offered a nice example of his recognition and burst:

If a linebacker can dominate sideline to sideline, he's my type of guy. Tremaine Edmunds could be my type of guy. pic.twitter.com/GDH8nD1ttK

For the Bengals, Edmunds fits wherever the coaches want him. New defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has confirmed the base will still be a 4-3, though they’ll mostly go multiple.

This gives the Bengals options, especially with Vontaze Burfict, who had a hard time adapting back to playing middle linebacker in 2017 after injuries hit the unit. Edmunds can move freely among the spots and let Burfict continue to man the weak side where he excels.

Overall, Kiper’s mock already has Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey off the board before the Bengals walk to the podium, leaving offensive line something they’ll have to address in later rounds. It could be a blessing in disguise, though, with Edmunds not only young and full of upside, but arguably the best player available in the scenario.